Etymologies

sheep +‎ shank (Wiktionary)

Examples

The next day, we all commenced in earnest our studies in navigation and seamanship, the naval instructor with his assistants working us up in our mathematics and imparting to us the elements of plane and spherical trigonometry; while the boatswain and his mates gave us practical lessons in the setting up of rigging and making of knots, so that there should be no chance of our mistaking a "sheepshank" for a "cat's paw," or a "Flemish eye" for a "grommet!"

Stupified as I was, some instinct must have told me not to refuse Gallantin's invitation a second time-it's a good rule, as I hope I've demonstrated, that when scalp-hunters offer you a squaw, you should take her away quick and quiet, and if you don't fancy her, then teach her the two times table, or "Tintern Abbey", or how to tie a sheepshank.

Figs. 81-82 illustrate two other forms of shortenings, but these can only be used where the end of the rope is free, and are intended for more permanent fastenings than the ordinary sheepshank; while Fig. 83 is particularly adapted to be cast loose at a moment's notice by jerking out the toggles, _A_, _B_.

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Comments

Used to shorten a rope temporarily; for example, for a topmastshroud when the topmast is lowered. Most yachts today use wire topmast shrouds instead of hemp ones, however. Each shroud has two joints, so that when the topmast is housed, the lowest joint is unshackled and stowed away, and the upper joint is set up with the tackle or lanyards.